Combined container and ironing board



G. W. PLUMB July l5, 1952 COMBINED CONTAINER AND IRONINGv BOARD Filed Sept. 29; 1947 JNVENTOR. geozye Zd. Flux/ uf-ali Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT `or1l=lca` COMBINED CONTAINER AND IRONIN G BOARD George W. Plumb, North Hollywood, Calif.

Application September 29, 1947, Serial No. 776,698

17 IClaims. l

This invention relates to folding ironing boards and more particularly to a form thereof which may be folded or collapsed into a small space whereby it may be packed into small space so that it may be included in luggage to accompany a so-called travelling iron. Heretofore, users of these travelling irons have had to use the tops of hotel dressers or tables or the bottoms of inverted dresser drawers for" a board on which to iron articles of clothing due to the fact that there has been no satisfactory ironing board which is suiciently light in weight and capable of being folded into sufficiently small space to warrant serious consideration as a travelling accessory.

With these considerations in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding ironing board of such light weight that it may be conveniently carried as a travelling accessory. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding ironing board which is so constructed and arranged that when folded or collapsed, it is reduced to a relatively small space so that it may be conveniently included as a travelling accessory. Y n

Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding ironing board which is sol constructed and arranged that when folded or` co1- lapsed, it forms a container forv a flatiron of the folding or so-called travelling type.

parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated, by` way of example, in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevationof an ironing board embodying the principles of the invention; the 4' board being shown unfoldedgfor use, i Figs. 2 and 3 are top plan sectional l View taken on the lines 2 2 and Zip-*3, respectively,

` Fig. 4 is a side elevation of-,the ironing board shown in Fig. 1 and showing vin dottedi lines a flatiron contained in the cavity formed bythe folding or collapsing of the ironing bca1d;.-,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary; sectional side elevation taken on the line 5-1--5 o f.,-Fig.2,

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional, and elevation of the folded-up ironing boardl taken` on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of theV4 subject mat-,AJ

ter of Fig. 5; the ironing board cover being mitted for the purpose of clearness .of illustraion.

In the illustrated mode of execution of the invention, the ironing board structure, per se, includes a main member l in the form of an inverted, shallow, rectangular, box-like element formed of sheet metal to the forward end of which the rear end of an extension member 2 is hingedlyattached by means presently to be described in detail. When unfolded for use, the top surfaces of the members l and 2 lie 1n the same plane and the member 2 is rounded at its free end and is provided with a depend'- mg wall or skirtA portion 3. The members! and 2 are hingedly connected by' a pair of links 4 4 one end of each of which is pivotally connected by rivets 5er- 5a to the forward ends of the sidewalls of the member .l and the other ends of the links are pivotally connected by rivets 5-5 to the sidewalls at the rear endl of the member 2. The length of the links 4 4 and the spacing of the points of connection with ,the members l and 2 is such that a slight clearance space 6 exists` betweenthe adjacent'en'ds of the members land 2 and the lower edge .of the rear wall of the member 2v is bent to form -a rearwardly extending lip l. adaptedv to engage the front wall of the member l and to cooperate with the links 4--4 to hold the'mrlnbers in a common plane when the board is unfolded for use. Intermediate their ends,th'e links ll-, are veach provided with anupwardly and thence laterally projecting tongue 8 which overlies the adjacent ends of the members l and 2 and these'tonguesfacilitate the 'folding 'of vthe board in a manner hereinafter to be explained.

.The ironing board members are each provided with a series of circular depressions 9 in the center of. each of which is an opening l0 in which suitable snap fasteners Il attached to the under surfaceof an ironing pad Al2 may be inserted. The depressions 9 are of such diameter andv depth as toreceive the head portions vof the snap fasteners with the upperfaces thereof 1n the samegeneral plane as the faces of the gmembersl and 2 therebyproviding fa smooth ,surface for the pad. It willbe notedthat vithis modej vof attaching the' pad to the board makes jt, unnecessary to provide a pad "with a portion thereof. extended over the edge of the boardv as hasbeen the general practice heretofore-lil f 4When it is desiredto foldfthe members: land 2A togethenthe member 2..is lifted at its-free end, swingingv it about :theaxes ofA the 'rivets 5,-,5 until Lthe, upper face of. the.l member engages the edge of the tongues 8'-8 of the links 1 -4. Continued swingingV movement imparted vmember 2 will lthen :causait andthelinks 4 4 to swing as a unit about the axes of the rivets a-5a until it assumes the position shown in Fig. fi with the pad I2 ,assuming the fold I3 shown in that figure.

The supporting structure for the ironing board comprises a base member I4 formed of sheet metal with a fiat, rectangular bottom-portion and having integral, parallel, upturned side portions I5--I5 adjacent its forward end and upturned arms Iii-IE at each side adjacent its rear end. Slidably disposed on the bottom portion of the 'base member I4 and guided by the side portions I5--I5 and the arms Iii-I6 is a lower box member I1 which is identical with the member I except that it is disposed with its Open side uppermost. The rivets Ea--Sa each additionally connect one end of each of a pair of links I8-I8 to the main member I and the other ends of these links are pivotally connected to the arms Iii-IB by rivets lil- 19. The sidewalls of the lower box member I1 adjacent the rear end thereof are each provided with a `s lot 2,0 spaced from and extending parallel i@ .the bottom of the member. Each sidewall is disposed between the adjacent faces of the link I8 and the arm I5 and the associated rivet I9 passes through the slot 20 thus securing the box member I'I to the base member I4 while preserving the capacity for relative sliding movement between them. A second pair of links A2 I.,-.2,I are pivotally connected by rivets 22--22 to the :forward ends of the sidewalls of the box member .I'I and these links extend diagonally upwardly and rearwardly outside of and adjacent to the links I 8.--I8 and at their other ends are connected by rivets 23.-.-23 to slots 24-24 formed in lthe dependent sidewalls of the main member I `adjacent the rear end thereof. At each side of 'the structure the intersecting links are pivotally connected at 25 to form a lazy tongs. Since the links at their ends are in sliding engagement with the members I and I1, these box members may be moved toward and away from each other while `being held in parallelism with each other.

When the structure is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 4, 'the edges of the members I and I1 meet to form a cavity 25a in which a atiron I of the folding or socalled travelling type may be contained. A pair of hooks 26-26 secured by .rivets 21,-27 to the end Walls of the member I and adapted to engage studs 28-28 carried by the end Walls of the member I'I serve to retain uthe board in closed position.

T9 place the board in position for use, the hooks 26-36 are first released. Then the ironing,T board portion is lifted up and the weight of the iron `in the cavity 25a will cause the lifting movement to separate the members I and I1. As the members separate, the crossed links I8 and 2| at each side of the structure tend to approach more nearly vertical positions. Since the lower ends gf the vlinks I8 are attached to the arms I6 which are integral with the base member` I4 and the lower ends of the links 2| are attached to the member I'I, this scissor movement ofthe links will cause the members I4 and I'I to be shifted relative to each other with the result that the forward end'of the base member vwill l beshifted under the member 2 to give'added" support during the ironing operation.

6nd'. kthe lower ends of the links 2I--2I engage the upwardly and rearwardly inclined top edgesv g of.. the base member side portions I5-I5 and 4 together with the forward end of the member I1 are lifted away from the base member I4 and just as the rivets IS--IS and 23-23 reach the ven d of the slots 29-20 and 24-24 the lower ends of the links 2I-2I drop into notches ,29--29 formed in the upper vedges of the side portions I5-I5 and these notches are so shaped as to prevent the links from riding up out of them when pressure is applied to the ironing board incident to ironing. When this is done, the member 2 is swung out into position and the board is ready for use. When the ironing is completed, the iron is placed in the member II, the member 2 is folded back over the member I, the structure is tilted up at its forward end sufficiently to allow the base member to drop free of the ends of the links 2I-2I and the top is -pressed down into engagement with the member I 'I to enclose the iron and the hooks are locked on the studs 28--28.

All of the component parts are of simple design and it is to be noted that the members I and II are identical as are the links 4--4 and the links I8 and 2I. This reduces tooling costs and makes for economical manufacture. Further, all of the parts are of such form that they may be formed from sheet metal with a minimum of waste.

The resulting structure is simple and fool proof and is quickly set up for use and as quickly folded up for storage or packing in luggage.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

1 claim:

l. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a base member, an open-top box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface and means connecting said box members constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or to be separated to elevate said upper box member for use as an ironing board.

2. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a base member, an open-top box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said rst-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface, means connecting said box members constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtapositionv with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or to be separated to elevate said upper box member for use as an ironing board and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one end of said upper box member.

3. A combined container and ironing board comprising. a base member, an open-top box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface and means connecting said box members'constructed and arranged to ycomprising a lazy tongs permit said box members to bepositionedwith their l,edges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or yto be separated to elevate said upper box memberfor use as an ironing board and an ironing pad attachedtothe upper surface of said upper box member. l

`4. A combined container and ironing board Acomprising, a base member, an open-top box v member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member and having anfextension element hinged thereto; the upper surface of said last named box memb er and` extension serving as an ironing board surface and means connecting said box members constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtaposition with or to be separated to elevate said upper box member for use as an ironing board, an ironing pad on the upper faces of said upper box member and said extension and means connecting said pad to said faces constructed and arranged to permit said extension to be folded over on said upper box member. Y

5. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a base member, an open-top box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper Asurface of said last named box member serving as-an ironing board surface, means connecting said box members constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or to be separated to elevate said upper box member for use asian ironing board and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one endl of said upper box member, saidconnecting means unit at each side of said box members.

6. A combined container and ironing board lcomprising, a base member, an open-tcp box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box memberl disposed fabove said first-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface, means connecting said box'mernbers constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtaposition with resultant for- -rnationofV an iron-containing cavity or to be "separated to elevate said upper box member for use as an ironing board and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one end of :saidupper box member, said connecting means comprising a lazy tongs unit at each sideof said 4b ox members, each of said units comprising a other offsaid links being pivotally connectedto the end of said lower box member adjacent the end of the upper box member to which the rstnamed link is attached and connected for sliding engagement with the oppositevend of the upper .bOx

member.

. `A combined container vand. ironing ,Aboard comprising a' base" member, 'an open-top 'b'ox rmember'slidably mounted on said basemember, t.,

resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface, means connecting said lbox members constructed and arranged to permit said box members to be positioned with their edges in juxtaposition vwith resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or to be separated to elevate said upper box member for use as an ironing board and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to onev end of said upper box member, said connecting means comprising a lazy tongs units pivotally attached to the same ends ofeach of: saidfbox members and having slidingengagement with the other ends of each ofsaid members.

8. A combined container and ironingboard comprising, a base member, an 'open-top' box member slidably mounted'on said base member, an upper. ,open-bottom lbox mem-ber disposed above said `first-named box member'j the upper surface of s aid lastnamed boxmember serving asian ironing board surface and means cnnectjing saidbox members constructedand Varranged to permit said box members'to b e positionedwith their edges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavityV or to' be separated to elevate said .upper box member 'for use as anl ironing board, said connecting fmeans being additionally connected to said base' member and being operative upon separating'said mein'v bers to effect a sliding movement between. said base member and the lower box member with' the end of said base member being extended'beneath the ironing board extension and operative'upon bringing saidbox members togetherto retract said base member beneath the lower box member.

9. A combined container and ironing board comprising, arbase member, an open-top box member slidably mounted onil base member, 'an upper,openfbottom box4 member disposedfab'ove Said first-named box member; the upper'siirface of said last, named box member serving as.' fan ironingboard surface and means` connecting said box members constructed and arrangedjt'o'fpermit said box" members to be positioned vwith" their Vedges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity orto 'beiseparated to elevatesaid'upper boxmembe'r for use as'an ironing board, said bas member being constructed and arranged to have latchingengagement lvvithvsaid connecting means' when said boxl memseparated j to 'elevate said Aupper boxI n'ien`fib'-erk for useasanironing board; said base member having side'wall'portions lprovided with V'notches adapted tolbe engaged by said means whensaid boxfmem'- bers'a'r'e separated and said lnotches beinglso disposed'that then/eight` of said ironing v board lwill maintain said connecting means in engagefment with said 'notches until Y manually released.

11. A combined container and ironinglb'oard comprising, a base member, 7ar`1l open-'top box 'nmemberjslidably mountedons d basemember,

an upper, open-bottom -box member Idisposed above said 'first-named box member; the upper surface of said last namedbox member serving as anironing board surface and an ironing Aboa-rd extension member hingedly connected to -one end of said upper box member.

12. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a base member, an open-top box member slidably vmounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottomV box melnber disposed above said rst-named box member, means -connecting said box members for bodily movement toward and away from veach other; the upper surface of said last named -box member serving as an ironing board surface and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one end of said upper box member, said connecting means comprising a lazy tongs unit at each side vof said box members. v f

13. A combined container and ironing board comprising, aV base member, an open-top box member slidably mounted on said base member, an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said iirst-named box member; the upper surface of said last named box member serving as an ironing board surface and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one end of said upper lbox member, connecting means comprising a lazy tongs unit at each side of said box members, each of said units comprising a pair of links pivotally connected intermediate their ends, one end of one of said links'being pivotally connected to the end of said upper box member adjacent said extension member and its other end having sliding engagement with the opposite end of the lower box member and the other 'of said links being pivotally connected to the end of said lower box member adjacent the end of the upper box member to which the first-named link is attached and connected for sliding engagement with the opposite end of the upper box member.

14. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a base member, an open-top box member slidably'mounted on said base member,

an upper, open-bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper surface of said last named'box member serving as an ironing board surface and an ironing board extension member hingedly connected to one end of said upper box member, connecting means comprising a lazy tongs units pivotallyattached to the same ends of each of said box .members and having sliding engagementv with the'other'ends of each of said members.

l5. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a lower open top box member, an upper, open bottom box member disposed above said first-named box member; the upper surface of said upper box member servingas an ironing board surface, and lazy tongs devices connecting said box members at opposite vsides thereof'constructed andV arranged to becollapsed with said box members positioned with their edges injuxtaposition and resultant formation of an iron-acontaining cavity or tobe lockedv inl extendedposition with resultant elevation of saidupper'b'ox member for use as an ironing board; each of said lazy tongs devices comprising a rst member having one end pivotally connected to the outer face of one side of said lower box .memberand adjacent to one end vthereof and-havingits opposite end slidingly connected to` the vouter face of the upper box member` adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second lazy tongs member correspond'- ingly but oppositely interconnecting the sides of said box members and attached to the inner faces of said sides, and a hinge pin interconnecting said lazy tongs members at their mid length.

16. A combined container and ironing board comprising, a lower, open top box member, an upper, open bottom box member disposed above said iirst-named box member, lazy tongs devices permanently interconnecting said box members at opposite sides thereof constructed and arranged -to be collapsed with said box members positioned with their edges in juxtaposition and resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or to be locked in extended Position vwith resultant elevation of said upper box member to permit access to said cavity, an extension element, and devices hingedly connecting said upper box member and said element constructed and arranged to permit said element to be positioned in end to end relation with said upper box member or to be positioned in overlying relation thereto; the upper surfaces of said upper box member and said ex*- tenslon element when arranged in said end to end relation constituting an ironing board surface; each of said lazy tongs devices comprising a rst member having one end pivotally connected to the outer face of one side of said lower box member and adjacent to one end Ithereof and having its opposite end slidingly connected to the outer face of the upper box member adjacent the opposite end thereof, a second lazy tongs member correspondingly but oppositely interconnect-1 lng the sides of said box members and attached to the inner faces of said sides, and a hinge pin interconnecting said lazy tongs members at their mid length.

17. combined container and ironing board comprising a lower, open top box member, an upper, open bottom box member disposed above said lower box member, means including a pair of lazy tongs devices each interconnecting opposite parallel sides of said box members and operable to permit said box members to be positloned with their edges in juxtaposition with resultant formation of an iron-containing cavity or. to be spread apart with resultant elevation of said .upper ybox member for use as an ironing board and devices associated With said lazy tongs devices and with said box members, respectively,

yoperable to lock said box members in said spread apart and juxtaposed positions; `each of said lazy Atongs devices comprising va rst member having REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 700,355 Mitchell Meylltewoz 1,476,289 Blank Dee 4' 1923 1,953,900 weiters Apr' 3 l1934 1,978,310 Johnson oet '23"1934 2,432,932 Peters Dee'. 161 1947 

